Last Updated on February 20, 2023 by admin
Knowing about potentially infectious diseases in cats helps you stay prepared should your cat contract any such illness. The more you know, the better you will be able to handle such a situation and care for your feline in such a case.
Cats are susceptible to many illnesses, some of which have symptoms like the common cold and others that can quickly drive your pet into a fatal condition. It is worth noting that poor diet, stress, environmental toxins, genetics, and an inactive lifestyle can hamper a feline’s immune system and make it highly vulnerable to infectious diseases.
It is important to keep your furball isolated from sick animals in the house and help it avoid direct/indirect contact because many diseases are contagious. Vaccinate your furry pet whenever necessary with reliable vaccines to ensure health and happiness.
At the same time, consider being prepared with kitten insurance in NZ so you have a medical financial backup to lean on during distressing health scenarios and medical emergencies. Cheap cat insurance policies cover a munchkin’s basic health care and can be affordable too.
Contemplate purchasing a policy; in the meantime, read this article to learn about two viruses that can cause deadly infections in cats.
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
This virus is much similar to HIV that affects humans. FIV affects a cat’s immune system and weakens it to the point that other pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi) take control of the cat’s body and consequently make it very sick.
Although FIV causes the primary infection, the subsequent secondary infections can eventually lead to a cat’s mortality. Note that FIV-infected cats can survive when proper treatment and ideal living conditions are provided. FIV cats should be allowed to live with other FIV-infected felines or in homes with no other feline pets, to give them a happy life yet prevent transmission.
This disease is usually transmitted through bite wounds, which is why it is commonly found in male cats living outdoors. Enlargement of the lymph nodes, coat deterioration, persistent fever, appetite loss, and inflammation of the mouth, skin, respiratory tract and bladder are major red flags you should watch out for.
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
Shelter cats are tested for this disease before being permitted to be adopted by caregivers because they should not be housed with healthy feline fur babies. It mainly spreads through saliva but can also be shed through nasal discharge, urine, and feces.
Mother-to-baby cat transmission is possible when an infected mother cat nurses her kittens. Sharing food bowls with FeLV-infected cats, getting bitten by them, and using common grooming tools for infected/uninfected cats results in disease transmission.
Diarrhea, constipation, appetite loss, lethargy, enlarged lymph nodes, weak immune system, anemia, developing malignant masses, and infertility are common signs of this disease. Remember that even while many cats appear asymptomatic, they can still be carriers. The blood tests may still be positive, and if so they can infect healthy cats and live normal lives simultaneously.
Should you notice anything abnormal about your cat, scoop up your munchkin and head to the vet for early testing and treatment. Mature diseases are hard to cure, can be very painful, and involve hefty vet bills, which is why timely medical assistance is crucial.
Consider being prepared with kitten insurance NZ from early on just in case anything unfortunate happens with your cat’s health over its lifetime. Cheap cat insurance makes providing quality medical care possible with little financial implications, so contemplate purchasing a policy.
